Top 10 romantic hotels

Reuters, Calgary Herald02.08.2011

European charm makes this United Nations World Heritage Site a gem in historic Old Quebec, and its turrets and grand architecture keep up the majestic atmosphere. Its elegant accommodations and regal decor make it easy to play romantic royalty for the weekend.

Love is in the air, but book your romantic getaway for Valentine’s Day early to avoid becoming that couple having a spat in your local restaurant over the expense and disappointment of leaving it to the last minute. Online travel advisor Cheapflights.com (www.cheapflights.com) helps you to choose a loveshack to suit your beloved’s tastes.

1. Viceroy Anguilla in the British West Indies

Nestled in the Caribbean Islands, the Viceroy Anguilla sits on 35 acres of utter paradise. Its modern architecture screams luxury and gives way only to the surrounding exotic natural environment and two white-sand beaches. Stay in a private oceanfront villa, a beachfront suite, or a blufftop guestroom all of these boast your very own private pool.

2. La RDeserve Ramatuelle in St. Tropez, France

Celebrities are just a few of the romantic-entanglement folk that saunter around St. Tropez like it’s a playground. On a hill high above the Mediterranean, this new hotel has only 23 rooms and villas, but does each one with unstoppable elegance with floor-to-ceiling windows and open floor plans. It’s known for its spa atmosphere and sanctuary feel, so sink into the champagne environment and enjoy. These accommodations do not come cheaply, but you can save by booking a junior suite instead of a standard suite.

3. Fairmont Frontenac in Quebec, Canada

Every cold winter night deserves a cozy room in a castle, so make your fairytale happen at the Fairmont Frontenac in Quebec. European charm makes this United Nations World Heritage Site a gem in historic Old Quebec, and its turrets and grand architecture keep up the majestic atmosphere. Its elegant accommodations and regal decor make it easy to play romantic royalty for the weekend.

4. Rosewood Mayakoba in Riviera Maya, Mexico

Mexico always knows how to bring the heat, and the Rosewood MayakobDa is no exception. The officially-described locale “where the ocean and jungle meet,” is set on a 1,600-acre luxury resort on a mile of beach surrounded by the serene lagoons of Mexico’s YucatDan Peninsula. Stay in a Lagoon Suite for your own private plunge pool, rooftop sundeck, bathroom with outdoor garden shower and views of the lagoons and mangroves. Here, romance is hard to ignore.

5. Rayavadee Resort on Krabi Island, Thailand

This one is borderline hedonistic. Krabi Island is a two-hour drive from the Phuket but feels so much more remote. Unique in its location, the resort is situated on the edge of Krabi National Marine Park, enveloped in lush flora, limestone cliffs, three beaches and the clear waters of the Andaman Sea. Stay in one of the Spa Pavilions to enjoy your own private outdoor jacuzzi, shower and gazebo for ultimate seclusion.

6. Villa Bordoni in Tuscany, Italy

Food, wine, and Tuscan scenery can work wonders on the palate and the heart. This little country house-turned-hotel is enclosed in vineyards, terraced olive groves and forests in the heart of the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany. A couple took over and revamped the property recently, and added a cooking school that allows you and your special someone to spend the afternoon concocting authentic Italian ingredients with an on-site chef, and then decadently consuming your creation for dinner that night.

7. Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island, Australia

For the adventurous couple, this Kangaroo Island escape puts you up close and personal with some of Australia’s fuzzy friends. Koalas, kangaroos, echidnas live in its coastal environment, and make for natural ambiance. Just off the coast of Australia, some consider it to be a peer to the Galapagos Islands. The hotel also provides a serene spa and stunning panoramic ocean views that allow whale and dolphin spotting.

8. Hotel on Rivington in New York, USA

This is a very different kind of scenery. Overlooking Manhattan, the Hotel on Rivington is all about views. From high up among the skyscrapers, rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass windows make privacy an edgy matter. The hotel gives guests unobstructed 360-degree views, and large rooms that boast glassed-in bathrooms with steam showers and Japanese-style soaking tubs. Book a high-floor corner king with a soaking tub to get the most luxury for the best rate.

9. Fairmont Orchid in Hawaii

Most people don’t need much persuading when it comes to understanding just how blissful Hawaii is, but oceanfront cabanas, waterfall massages and sandy lagoons are just a few reasons that the Fairmont Orchid makes Waimea all the more enticing. The “Make Room for Romance” option includes orchid petals, slippers, bath robes, Hawaiian bath crystals, floating candles, tropical massage lotion, champagne and strawberries to kick off your getaway.

10. Capella Singapore in Singapore

It seems like Southeast Asia always has a new tropical retreat to discover, and this one is worth exploring. The Capella Singapore on exotic Sentosa Island has 112 rooms on a property dotted with artful sculptures and roaming peacocks, and its extensive design overhaul creates a lavishly modern escape in an old-world destination. Constellation rooms include alfresco terraces overlooking the South China Sea, and lunar cycle-inspired spa treatments to set the mood for prime indulgence.

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